Details have emerged about the impromptu visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Kingdom a week before his swearing in on Friday.
Investigations by Sunday Tribune indicated that the trip was at the instance of top officials of the government of United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America(USA), both of which were said to have resolved to make Nigeria the number one investment destination in Africa henceforth.
It was learnt that the two governments had resolved to dump South Africa and promote Nigeria as the first investment destination and that the London visit by Buhari was secretly planned to iron out details of the agreement.
Diplomatic sources told the Sunday Tribune that the governments of UK and USA ensured that the meeting with Buhari took place in London ahead of the inauguration so as to ensure its secrecy, as only one aide of the General, was allowed into the private meetings.
“The trip was actually impromptu,” said a source in the know, adding that a number of appointments of the then President-elect were affected by the trip.
It was gathered that the trip enabled the UK and US governments to fine tune issues concerning their relationship with Africa henceforth and what was described as the “new world order”
Said a source: “The visit to London by President Buhari was actually unplanned and impromptu. Some visits and events were already scheduled but the trip was compelling.
“It was truly at the instance of the US and UK governments because they are ready to do business with Nigeria and make the country the first destination in Africa.
“There are issues of insecurity in Nigeria and it was understood they discussed matters ranging from current protocol, ethics and privileges in the new world economic order and issues affecting the whole of the continent.
“It is becoming clear that the western nations are losing hope in South Africa’s leadership of the continent and they are showing preference to Nigeria. I can confirm to you that even before the election, the two countries were in touch with the then opposition party led by Buhari and the new rapport should not come as a surprise.”